Defense Establishment Comptroller Unit
Encyclopedia
Defense Establishment Comptroller Unit is an Israel Defense Forces
unit which supervises and oversees the fitness, preparedness, and legality of the Israel
i Security Forces' activities, in all its parts. It reports to the Minister of Defense, Director-general
of the Ministry of Defense
, and the Chief of Staff
on these issues.
(the most senior branch in the IDF). In 1994, it was placed under the deputy head of the Operations Directorate. In 2004, it was placed under the command of the Deputy Chief of Staff.
, who is one of three civilian members in the General Staff
. As of August 2002, the Defense Establishment Comptroller is Brigadier-General (Ret.) Yossi Beinhorn.
) for suffering from various deficiencies. In its 2003 report, it noted that the IDF's internal comptroller units, who are organizationally part of the respective branches (illegally so) and professionally subordinate to the Defense Establishment Comptroller, operate without any involvement from the latter. In his 2005 report, the State Comptroller, Eliezer Goldberg
, maintained that Defense Establishment Comptroller failed to foster consistent conduct among the 80 IDF internal comptrollership bodies, and that the unit failed to undertake inspections in the frequency required by regulations.
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
unit which supervises and oversees the fitness, preparedness, and legality of the Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i Security Forces' activities, in all its parts. It reports to the Minister of Defense, Director-general
Director-general
The term director-general is a title given the highest executive officer within a governmental, statutory, NGO, third sector or not-for-profit institution.-European Union:...
of the Ministry of Defense
Ministry of Defense (Israel)
The Ministry of Defence of the government of Israel, is the governmental department responsible for defending the State of Israel from internal and external military threats...
, and the Chief of Staff
Ramatkal
The Chief of the General Staff, also known as the Commander-in-Chief of the Israel Defense Forces is the supreme commander and Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. At any given time, the Chief of Staff is the only active officer holding the IDF's highest rank, Rav Aluf , which is usually...
on these issues.
History
The body was established in 1976 and was originally subordinate to what then the Operations DirectorateIsraeli Operations Directorate
The Israeli Operations Directorate is a branch in the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, established in 1999, and alongside the regional commands, the Air Force and Sea corps and General Staff directorates, is responsible in planning for the exercising of military force...
(the most senior branch in the IDF). In 1994, it was placed under the deputy head of the Operations Directorate. In 2004, it was placed under the command of the Deputy Chief of Staff.
The Defense Establishment Comptroller
Unlike other IDF units, the Defense Establishment Comptroller Unit is headed by a civilianCivilian
A civilian under international humanitarian law is a person who is not a member of his or her country's armed forces or other militia. Civilians are distinct from combatants. They are afforded a degree of legal protection from the effects of war and military occupation...
, who is one of three civilian members in the General Staff
Israeli General Staff
The Israeli General Staff , abbreviated Matkal , is the supreme command of the Israel Defense Forces. It is based in the Kirya compound in Tel Aviv.-Members:...
. As of August 2002, the Defense Establishment Comptroller is Brigadier-General (Ret.) Yossi Beinhorn.
Criticisms by the State Comptroller
The unit has come under repeated criticisms by the Israeli State Comptroller (a position comparable to a cabinet postCabinet of Israel
The Cabinet of Israel is a formal body composed of government officials called ministers, chosen and led by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister must appoint members based on the distribution of votes to political parties during legislative elections, and its composition must be approved by a...
) for suffering from various deficiencies. In its 2003 report, it noted that the IDF's internal comptroller units, who are organizationally part of the respective branches (illegally so) and professionally subordinate to the Defense Establishment Comptroller, operate without any involvement from the latter. In his 2005 report, the State Comptroller, Eliezer Goldberg
Eliezer Goldberg
Eliezer Goldberg is a former Israeli Supreme Court judge, and former State Comptroller of Israel.- Early life and legal career :Goldberg was born in Jerusalem. There he attended the Hebrew Gymnasium Rechavia, graduating in 1949...
, maintained that Defense Establishment Comptroller failed to foster consistent conduct among the 80 IDF internal comptrollership bodies, and that the unit failed to undertake inspections in the frequency required by regulations.